Review: Tight Lines Jewelry — for the discerning angler

I am a woman of the outdoors. I wear camouflage and hiking boots, waders and wet suits. Buried in my love for life on the wild side, however, is a woman who also loves a little bling. Tight Lines Jewelry is the perfect accompaniment to my life and sense of style. This stunning fishing-inspired jewelry line captures the majesty and beauty of the outdoors in pieces I can wear with jeans and a T-shirt or my favorite dinner dress, whether in the field or out for a night on the town.

It can be difficult to find quality jewelry that meets my high standards, while still conforming to my more natural fashion sense. Tight Lines Jewelry does not disappoint, with its very detailed, hand-carved designs, cast in non-tarnishing Argentium sterling silver, yellow or white golds. These jewelry designs feature a wide variety of fish species, ranging from blue gill, bass, trout, salmon, bonefish and more, as well as a wide array of fly-fishing rods and reels.

The “Fish-On” King Salmon pendant necklace and “Twist & Trout” small version ring are perfect for a leisurely day on the water. Both pieces are featured in Argentium sterling silver. (Todd Bodenheimer photo)

Each design is substantial; I can feel the quality in each piece I own, whether it is a pendant , neck wire, earrings, ring or a bracelet. The pieces do not tarnish like traditional silver. Although they will turn slightly yellow with time, the sterling silver items polish quickly and easily with a soft cloth, returning to a like-new shine and luster.

One of my favorite fish to pursue here, in the Pacific Northwest, is salmon. It would only make sense that one of my favorite pieces of the line is the “Fish-On” King salmon pendant. The “Fish-On” line is unique because twisted fly line keeps the pendant affixed to your chain of choice. Mixing and matching the “Fish-On” pendant with different chains allows versatility and variety in my wardrobe. Prices vary from $120 to $2,315, depending on metal selection and choice of chain.

Another great piece in the collection is the Twist and Trout Ring. It is fun, yet stylish, all at the same time, and its open-ended design adds a touch of whimsy to your wardrobe, yet is still classic and stylish enough to be worn every day. Offered in both a small and large version, the Twist and Trout Ring is available in half sizes between 6 and 13. As with all other items in the Tight Lines Jewelry line, it varies in priced (from $155 to $2,300) depending on your metal selection.

The Twist and Trout ring. (Tight Lines Jewelry photo)

Tight Lines Jewelry does not limit its offerings to the female angler. The company also makes a complete line of cuff links and lapel and tie tacks for the discerning outdoorsman. Like all other offerings in the line, these more masculine pieces are available in Argentium sterling silver, yellow and white golds.

Tight Lines Jewelry is beautiful and the company is well worth supporting. Each piece is custom-made in the USA and the company gives back to the community by donating 5% of each purchase to Trout Unlimited, a non-profit organization working to protect America’s cold-water fisheries and watersheds. What is not to love about that? I appreciate knowing money from my purchase is standing behind an American company, supporting such a wonderful cause.

The Brook trout is only 1 of 8 fish species currently available in the “Reeling Up” pendant line.

The angler-inspired pieces by Tight Lines Jewelry are custom designed by jeweler Renee Schatzley. Renee first captured the art of fishing in her jewelry more than 30 years ago, and has since expanded her creations into a complete line.

Renee believes that, “As a fly angler, we need to remind ourselves it’s not necessarily about catching the fish; it’s more about the whole experience of being one with nature, being one with our creator and letting go of our busy lives, if only for a few hours, to be one with the water and seek for that of which we do not see and try to find that harmony that our soul seeks.” It is evident that Renee puts this same intensity behind her jewelry designs. I am captivated by each work in Renee’s current line and cannot wait to see additional creations she releases in the future.

The entire Tight Lines Jewelry collection is available online. Whether you are purchasing a gift for a friend to memorialize a fishing trip of a lifetime, or for yourself as a good luck charm, these beautiful pieces of art are a wonderful addition to any wardrobe.

About Michelle Whitney Bodenheimer

An experienced huntress, Michelle Whitney Bodenheimer has pursued big game, upland birds and waterfowl throughout North America and Africa. Although Michelle loves to hunt and shoot (both rifle and bow), her biggest passion in life is sharing her love for the outdoors with others.
Michelle is the dedicated gear review columnist for Women’s Outdoor News, in a column called “Her Gear.” Michelle’s writings and photography also have been published in a number of outdoor journals, including On Target, Lady Angler, The Gun Dog Journal, The Shooting Channel and African Hunting Gazette. Michelle has been a repeat contributing guest on Outdoor GPS,a live hunting and fishing television program broadcast on Comcast SportsNet NW.
When Michelle is not writing, she is serving her time as an outdoor educator. She is an active volunteer for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Outdoor Skills Program. Her primary responsibilities with ODFW are serving as a shotgunning coach and dog handler/guide for ODFW’s upland bird hunting clinics. Michelle also teaches regularly for Women in the Outdoors (WITO) and Becoming and Outdoors Woman (BOW) programs. She serves on the Pro Staff team for Cabela’s, as well as for the NW Ladies Hunt Camp, an educational outreach program hosted in conjunction with the NRA’s Women on Target Program and Extreme Desire TV, and is a member of the field staff for Próis Hunting and Field Apparel for Women.
A current member of a number of national conservation organizations, Michelle is a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations, as well as a life member of the National Rifle Association. She also served as a past director for the Southwest Washington chapter of Safari Club International.
Take caution, however, if Michelle invites you along on a hunt. Having been stalked by a cougar and attacked by a cheetah, she tends to live life a bit on the wild side.
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